[MLS] A three-game swing through South Africa began for the MLS Generation adidas team Monday when it beat the reserve team of the Orlando Pirates, 2-0, at the University of Johannesburg Soccer Grounds in Auckland Park.

Chris Pontius (D.C. United) scored in the first half and Patrick Nyarko (Chicago) added a second goal after halftime for the MLS Generation adidas team, which will attend the World Cup draw Friday in Cape Town during its visit.

The team traveled over the weekend and on Sunday conducted its first training session missing three players who had originally been named to the squad, which is under the direction of Crew head coach Robert Warzycha. Brek Shea (FC Dallas) and Ciaran O'Brien (Colorado) were held out because of injuries, and Tristan Bowen (Los Angeles) is dealing with family matters.

Pontius scored in the 24th minute after intercepting an attempted clearance and beat a defender to launch a low shot inside the far post. Orlando substituted extensively at halftime and its occasional threats were stifled by goalkeeper Stefan Frei, who was credited with six saves. He stopped a free kick and repelled a point-blank shot before Bruno Guarda (FC Dallas) sent over a cross that Nyarko tucked away from close range for the clinching goal.

The only members of the squad not to see time were backup goalkeeper Josh Lambo (FC Dallas) and defender Kevin Alston (New England), who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.